Work starting in the second phase of construction at al-Wakrah Stadium, one of the proposed host venues to be delivered ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.(AFP Photo / HO) / AFP

Qatari authorities have confirmed they are holding two British researchers who are investigating the 2022 World Cup facilities, which is linked with a scandal over poor working conditions and dozens of deaths of foreign workers.

Krishna Upadhyaya and Ghimire Gundev, who work for the
Norway-based Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD),
were detained in Doha on August 31.

"All of the actions that have been taken against the two
Britons are consistent with principles of human rights enshrined
in the constitution," read the statement released by the
Qatari QNA news agency on Sunday.

It was added that the two researchers are “being
interrogated” and that the reason behind the detainment is
“violations” of emigration laws.

GNRD posted on its website that Upadhyaya had reached out to his
family, saying, "I am well, I have been well looked after and
I will be home soon.” He said that the reasons behind their
arrest were “problems with paperwork.”

On Wednesday, however, GNRD stated that its employees disappeared
after complaining of being followed and “harassed” by
security forces.

A UK embassy spokesperson told AFP that they were “providing
consular assistance” for the two, but did not disclose any
details.

Amnesty International has voiced concern over the researchers’
"enforced disappearance," describing it as
“extremely worrying”. The human rights organization
stated that the two simply went missing after checking out of
their hotel in the capital, Doha.

Upadhyaya’s wife, Sarita Poudyal, told The Guardian that she was
“feeling very sad.”

“The Qataris need to send him back as soon as possible and we
need to know the reason why this has happened. I think they don’t
want the news about the way they treat migrant workers to reach
the outside world,” she added.

The researchers were carrying out an independent probe into the
conditions of migrant workers – after the Qatari government had
pledged to ensure the situation improves.

Qatar is preparing to be the first Arab host of the World Cup,
which will take place in 2022. The news about ‘Qatar slaves’
appeared for the first time in The Guardian last September; the
daily revealed fatalities among migrant workers at the
construction facilities due to overheating and dehydration. The
paper also reported some workers hadn’t been paid, or had had
their IDs confiscated among other numerous rights violations.

The report was followed by an international uproar and calls to
transfer the World Cup from the country.

To calm things down, Qatar issued a decree in July banning
mid-day outdoor work in the summer heat, specifically between
11:30 am and 3:00 pm from mid-June until the end of August, the
hottest months in the country. Companies were required to
establish bank accounts for foreign workers and pay wages
electronically within a week of the due date – or face sanctions.
An electronic complaint system was also set up, and the
authorities pledged to build housing to accommodate up to 150,000
workers.